It just occurred to me that the name “Reliant” as used on the Plymouth K-Car sends the wrong message. It sounds like “reliable,” which was most likely Chrysler’s intention, but it actually means “to rely on someone.” Therefore, Chrysler inadvertently implied that the car relies on you, and that might have been a prescient message, because this ’85 Reliant is looking for a new owner. This is what basic transportation looked like in 1985, and Chrysler sold a ton of them (over 250,000 of the Aries and Reliant in 1985), but how many are left? Barn Finds reader Rocco B. found this one on craigslist in Southern California, and its reasonable asking price could have you thinking that a K-Car might be the answer to your daily commute.
The no-frills motif continues on the inside of this Reliant; although there were “upscale” LE and SE trim options, this one appears to be a base Reliant with a vinyl bench seat (and that was a choice according to the sales brochure). Nothing like wearing shorts on a hot Murietta, California, day and sitting down on this spread; by the way, the air conditioning isn’t working. It has been converted to r134a, but it is currently blowing hot air. The interior doesn’t look bad at all, although the dash pad has a carpeted cover on it (not a big deal in my opinion).
Under the hood is the Chrysler 2.2 with an electronic carburetor. The Mitsubishi 2.6 took its final tour as the engine upgrade in 1985 before being replaced by Chrysler’s own 2.5 in 1986. With just under 100 horsepower, the 2.2 was quick enough for its day, and you can expect decent fuel mileage as well. The seller has just treated it to a tune up and fluid change, and the timing belt was replaced in 2019, so you don’t have to worry about that for a while. The Reliant has power steering and brakes, so it should drive like a modern-ish car, perfect for a salt-free commute.
Chrysler didn’t change the Aries/Reliant’s styling much over the course of the 1980s, but they did get a more rounded nose and tail for 1985, which didn’t exactly bring them into the Taurus generation, but it helped them ride out the rest of the 1980s with decent sales numbers. Like many workaday sedans of our country’s past, the K-Cars slowly disappeared from our roads before we noticed they were gone, so it’s fun to see a nice one in the wild (or on craigslist). Some may scoff at the $3,500 asking price (It’s a K-Car!), but I think it’s a bit of a bargain for a car that appears to be rust-free (it was originally sold in Portland, Oregon, and, as mentioned, now lives in sunny California). If nothing else, you can buy it, fix the air conditioning, and have something a little out of the ordinary to drive around. It’s as practical today as it was in 1985.
It never ceases to amaze how you folks find cars like this. A base model K car in incredible condition. These were everywhere back in the day, and now if I see one in person I’m like WOW!!! A K CAR!!!! I worked for a towing company/auto body shop when I was a kid, and thebowner had a bunch of these he used as free loaners for customers to use while getting their body work done. He bought them all as used cars at auctions patched them up and used them. They were reliable and held up well to the customers treating them, and driving them…… Well…… Like a rental car.
This is a clean one, Id fix the AC and just drive it.
Ah, the (in)famous K-Car. One of Iaccoca’s then successful moves at saving the quickly dwindling assets of Dodge-Chrysler-Plymouth, US Govt. loan/cash infusion notwithstanding. He then convinced US fleet services to buy his cars then paid off the loan some years early, shortening the interest on the loan. Too, “management by walking around” became the mantra in smart leadership though it was quickly diluted..
Maybe it’s what is needed to now bail them out again considering Stellantis is rumored to possibly breaking them up even more than when MB screwed them under.
I was gone from the house, which meant I wasn’t there to influence my folks’ car purchases towards better equipped, a bit more upscale family cars (i.e., a nice Gran Torino). Which means they reverted to their familiar automotive purchase mindset: basic and cheap. So they had two K-cars, a 1982 bought new and, a decade later, a 1985 bought from a friend which had only 21k miles. Both did what they were supposed to do: provided basic transportation.
At 1st glance, on that side profile, I thought it was a Caravelle.
Yes same basic car but the Caravelle was on a stretched body with a rear quarter window in the “C” pillar. It shared this with the Dodge and Chrysler.
Mister Rooney’s car – Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
10 Thumbs up on that one!!!! Great memory. I forgot all about that.
A mid-spec SE model rather than the base one seen here, which meant that it was Rooney’s personal car and not the school district’s. Later on the SE/LE trim appearance was made standard and thus showed up in public-sector low bid fleets, but not in 1985/86.
“Wait, I’ll move it! My keys! Ahhhhhhhrggh!”
“Wait, I’ll move it! My keys! Argggghh! Argggghh!”
These were a dime a dozen at wholesale auctions in the late 80’s and early 90’s. I could easily but 3 or 4 at a single auction and sell them as fast as I could get them retail ready. Customers loved them, and I made money. Can’t get any better than that.
This seems priced about right. There are 10,000,000+ people within a couple hours, someone might actually step up and buy it.
Steve R
My family had several of them. They were cheap and reliable. I drove one after high-school (1986 Plymouth). It was a hand me down car. No FM radio, passenger side mirror didn’t exist (optional), no power windows, seats, locks. No cup holder either. It was very basic. The problem here in the great white North (Canada) is that many of them fell victim to the rust bug. Unless they were kept rust proofed, they would rot away. First it was the rockers. Then it was the rear quarters. Almost all of them began rotting below the gas flap. Mine developed water leaks which eventually rotted the trunk and front floor pans. I think I may have only seen 2 of them this year. One on the road and the other in a junk yard. They used to he everywhere. Now they’re rare
I had one exactly like this, even the same color, as a company car back in the day. Worst car I’ve ever experienced. Brand new from the dealer it started falling apart immediately. Constantly breaking down, towed multiple times. Must have been built on a Friday.
These have to be among the most prosaic cars of the 1980s, styled inside and out so that someone trading in a Volaré or Valiant would be right at home.
My dad downsized from a 1980’s LTD into a K-car during retirement in snowy western NY state. Eventually drove it to Chicago where I got more money for it. Satisfied.
My grandmothers last new car was the Dodge 400 K car in that same light blue…traded in her 77 triple green Chrysler Newport. Purchased both at Yanda Motors in Manitowoc Wisconsin.
“Well, if I had a million dollar I’d buy you a K-car, Ooh a nice reliant automobile…”
These were huge in Canada, (and everywhere else in NA). So big, that a band known mostly only in Canada at the time that was one of my favourites, mentioned it in a hit song.
1985 saw a bit of an update in looks with softer rounded corners and interior got better. I still remember the 1989 version I had as a loaner when my car was in the body shop. As a 16 year old it was the first new car I’d driven and it was quite refined by that time. Had it for about a week and it was smooth, cheap on fuel and comfy with cushy velour seats.
Johnny the press sure threw the lead singer under the bus. He got roasted for having some consensual adult fun. I believe it happened in NYC. They had a nerdy, squeaky clean image always.
Had some good tunes, wildly popular with the University crowd. 🍻
Marine Corpse bought a bunch of these in the 80’s, everyone from 6’8” MP’s to Generals driving these around the base
I had an 89 Dodge Aries, probably the most reliable car I’ve ever owned. Had it Z-Barted when new and never had a speck of rust ever. One winter storm I had to pick up my daughter from work–NO roads were plowed but that Aries pushed snow and I got her home with no problems whatsoever. Next day at work I opened the hood and it was completely filled with snow–you could only see the fan belt turning. BUT it never let me down. So say what you want but it was the best car I’ve owned.
The thing about these cars is you have to replace the head gasket at 50,000-mile intervals. You can get a car that needs to be repaired any day of the week. If an Assembly Plant has a three-shift operation you get 3 different levels of “QUALITY”.
Drove one of these for about 6 months, was an unmarked squad with the “pursuit package.” With front wheel drive was better in Milwaukee winters then the standard Gran Furies.
Yup, one year was the Reliant and the other year was the Dodge Aries special service package cars. Felt like driving a go kart compared to the Diplomats and Gran Fury. However, when chains were put on (the right way) not even the unplowed alleys would stop the RWD squad cars! Missed the spotlights on those compact squads though.
A neighbor of ours had one like this but a 1986 Dodge Aries SE. Their car was silver with Blue vinyl like this model. It was passed down to the first daughter who used it as a park bench. It was covered in soft dents on all the horizontal surfaces. She covered it in stickers.
The younger daughter turned it into an ashtray on wheels & used it up. She eventually bought a newer set of wheels within the year & that was the last I saw of it.
I had the “T-van” version of this car, an ’84 Voyager. Solid, fun, and reliable as sunrise.
I spec’d it out with the 5-speed, HD suspension, brakes, and clutch. Used to chase ‘spensive German iron ’round the hills of NW CT when lightened up with the back seat removed. No tach but worked out the gear ratios so I could use the 6 grand redline. Ran, cornered, braked just fine, a “breadbox” sportscar!
Oh, shimmed out shift lever slop and shortened throws. Other than 1st and 2nd when cold, shifted slicker ‘n you know what.
Gangbusters car that gave us 180K miles with no real problems.
Top speed 164 klm !
Used as squad cars on night heat tv show
Police Closed rd for b camera pursuit insert cars ….. stunts are fun !!!!
The name Reliant meant that you could
rely on the car!
Ennui on four wheels.
I’d rather walk, or frankly die, than drive one.
Where do we send the flowers? In your case, it will be dandelions.
I had a 1982 Lebaron, great car. Had 150k miles pretty much care free. Traded in on a new car. Wish I had kept it, with 150k on the odometer, it
really wasn’t worth much in trade. The ginned up the paper work to make it look good but probably didn’t get much more than $1500 when the dust settled. I paid $9,000 when it was new.